Yuletide Rush: Nigerians Spent N1.58 Trillion on Petrol in December 2025 — NMDPRA Report
Nigerians spent an estimated N1.58 trillion on petrol in December 2025, highlighting the heavy cost of fuel during the peak Yuletide season, according to official data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The spending reflects a surge in nationwide fuel consumption amid festive travel, increased business activity, and higher energy demand.
The NMDPRA’s December fact sheet showed that average daily petrol consumption rose to 63.7 million litres, the highest level recorded since October 2024. Over the 31-day period, this translated to 1.97 billion litres of petrol consumed nationwide, underscoring the intensity of fuel usage during the end-of-year holidays.
Based on the prevailing average pump price of about N800 per litre, total consumer spending was estimated at N1.58 trillion for the month. Although the Dangote refinery reduced petrol prices in December—bringing prices down to as low as N739 per litre in some locations—many filling stations, particularly in northern Nigeria, sold petrol above N800 throughout the festive period.
Fuel usage in December is traditionally higher due to increased interstate travel, holiday logistics, and reliance on petrol-powered generators by homes and businesses facing unstable electricity supply. These seasonal pressures explain why December 2025 recorded a sharp rise compared to 52.3 million litres per day in December 2024, and why consumption rebounded after dipping slightly in November.
Supply data from the regulator showed that Nigeria imported about 1.31 billion litres of petrol in December, while the Dangote refinery supplied 992 million litres, marking a stronger contribution from domestic refining. While improved supply helped stabilise availability, the N1.58 trillion expenditure highlights how fuel costs continue to absorb a significant share of household and business spending in Nigeria’s fully deregulated downstream market.
source: punch